When the founders of the Bristol, Clifton and West of England Zoological Society, to give the place its full name, opened the gates they had no idea it would one day become a major tourist attraction.Originally, land for the zoo was earmarked for Arnos Vale - but that site became a cemetery instead. Eventually, a dozen acres of land on the edge of Clifton Down was bought and the zoo opened in 1836.
Its animal collection was boosted by gifts. Queen Victoria gave a lioness, and the Maharajah of Mysore sent over Zebi - the largest Ceylonese elephant in captivity. She once snatched a cricket bat from a boy, reduced it to splinters and then ate it.
At the start of the 20th century, the zoo advertised itself as 'the finest show in the provinces' offering open-air concerts, firework displays, charity fetes, singers and jugglers. For the more energetic, tennis and croquet courts were available.
However, in the 1920s, all these entertainments were dropped so that the zoo could concentrate on animal research and breeding.
It made history - and international headlines - when, in 1934, Adam became the first chimpanzee to be conceived and born in captivity. Later came the first successful births of a gorilla, black rhinoceros and okapi.
Undoubtedly, the most popular attraction over many years was Alfred the gorilla. He cost the zoo £350 in 1930 and lived there until his death 18 years later.
He was then the only gorilla in captivity in this country.
Always a big hit, both with staff and visitors, Alfred could be seen being taken for walks around the grounds wearing his distinctive woolly jumper.
Picture postcards of him were sent all over the world, many by US servicemen based in Bristol during the last war. Zoo officials said his death was caused by a low-flying aircraft making him panic, but, unknown to his many admirers, Alfred had been suffering from TB (tuberculosis).
In the 1960s and 70s visitors would often see TV celebrity Johnny Morris filming with some of the zoo's more photogenic residents.
Johnny was the presenter of BBC TV's Animal Magic for 21 years.
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